The Project OderAngeln

The River Oder is a unique fishing area that is known far beyond the borders of Brandenburg. That is why the images of the fish kill in the summer of 2022 were hard to bear for many anglers. Hundreds of tonnes of dead fish of various species had to be salvaged from around 500 kilometres along the river. The actual extent as well as the ecological and economic impact of the fish kill cannot be estimated up to now. It will take years for the fish population to fully recover, which will not only endanger the livelihood of many fishing businesses, but will also affect angling in the long term.

The Potsdam Institute of Inland Fisheries (IfB) , together with Landesanglerverband Brandenburg e.V. and Landesfischereiverband Brandenburg/Berlin e.V., has therefore launched a multi-year research project: "OderAngeln". It is intended to investigate the effects of fish mortality on angling and to develop and promote sustainable fishing on the Oder in cooperation with anglers. The "OderAngeln" project is financed with funds from the fisheries levy of the state of Brandenburg.

As part of the public participation process, catch data will be collected, which will serve as an important indicator for stock development and recovery. In addition, the social and economic importance of angling will be determined and more strongly incorporated into future management decisions. This will help to ensure not only ecologically sustainable but also economically viable and socially acceptable use of stocks in the future.

All interested anglers can become part of the research project, for example by keeping a catch book or participating in written surveys. The Potsdam Institute of Inland Fisheries will provide more detailed information about the possibilities of participation in the near future, but would like to ask for your attention and active support in this place, already. More information will soon be available here on our IfB website.